Speaking to reporters, Regal Films matriarch Monteverde revealed that she was saddened by the exclusion of “Mano Po 7: Chinoy” from the official list of entries to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The latest instalment of the “Mano Po” franchise will be out on theatres a little earlier than the start of the yearly film festival, December 14.

"Sana naman after this year, they [the MMFF screening committee] should understand -- it's not that I'm teaching them pero all these poor people, mayroon silang mga bonus. Once they get their bonus, they bring the whole family to the movies to watch. ...Sayang lang nanghihinayang ako sa mga bata,” Montoverde said.

"There is a time for the indie movies. But not during the Christmas season. Christmas is for the family,” she added.

Cabral, one of the lead stars of the film Oro, also an official entry to the MMFF, expressed her outrage over Monteverde’s comment through a Facebook post.

For the first time in years, the films of Vic Sotto, Vice Ganda and Monteverde were not included in the MMFF. Nicanor Tiongson, head of the MMFF 2016 selection committee revealed that the panel selected the entries based on “quality” rather than the film’s potential to sell tickets.

As of this writing, Monteverde has not released a statement regarding the issue.

Watch the video report.

--Mini, The Summit Express

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